Wine & Food? Chefs & Winemakers? All together now! Nov. 5th!

Yes, they all come together on November 5th here at Ironstone Vineyards for the 4th Annual Winegrape & Gourmet. Hosted by the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance, this winelovers afternoon features the Sierra Foothills’ top chefs preparing signature dishes which are paired exclusively with a wine selection from an award-winning Calaveras winery.  It can't be more fun munching and sipping all afternoon!  

This truely is a great friends get away event. Relaxing, fun and if you want, educational... yes, you can even learn a bit if you need to justify the afternnoon!  Some of our newer dining establishments will be here to show off their chefs along with our old favorites...

Here is a teaser that was released by the CWA;

Magnolia Café’s Polenta with Mushroom Ragu and Gruyere served with Albariño Acero from Metate Hill Vineyards.


Haven't tried Magnolia Cafe yet? Or Metate Hill's Albarino Acero? Ok then! Here you go!  All in one place!
This is such a fun event I suggest you get your tickets early and bring all your friends along... you can't go wrong!

For more info or to purchase tickets, check out CWA's website,  http://www.calaveraswines.org/my_weblog/4th-annual-calaveras-winegrape-gourmet.htm.
Remember, Saturday, November 5 from 1 to 4 pm at Ironstone Vineyards. $40 in advance, $50 at the door. 


A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Calaveras Food Bank

Artist Painting! Plein Aire Autos ...



"1930 Studabaker" by Katrina Edman

 Saturday is the day! Painting is the way, here come some of California's formost plein aire painters to have some fun in the sun at the Ironstone Concours d'Elegance. The show opens at 10:00 am, benefitting the California 4-H Scholarship fund. Come join the fun!  This year painting on site will be:

Betsy Blackard    http://www.gadurkee.com/index_3.htm
Suzanne D'Arcy  http://www.suzannedarcy.com/about.html
Gil Dellinger       http://gildellinger.com/
George Durkee      http://www.gadurkee.com/index_3.htm
Deanna Furtney  http://www.center4creativity.net/Bio-s.html
Nedra Russ          http://www.nedraruss.com/catalog1.html
Sonny Sorensen  http://townhallarts.com/galerieartists.html


This is such a fun day at Ironstone, with classic autos, muscle cars, antique trucks, motorcycles and even a few classic wood boats, there is something for everyone. Period costumes, live music, great food & beverage which is served by Lions Club International no less!  What a fun group that bunch is too! They also handle the beer booths at the Ironstone Concerts. With well over 300 autos you are sure to find your dream car, maybe take home a painting of it if not the car itself... we can always dream!  Also present are the local 4-H r's here with their projects, demos and presentations.  Word is out that there are as many as 75 of these young bright stars throughout the grounds to answer your questions or help you out if you can't find your way around.  Most certainly a day to set aside, come on out and relax at Ironstone Concours d'Elegance.

CALL to ARTISTS, Plein Aire All Day at the Concours!

CALL TO ARTISTS * Plain Air painting opportunity, on site Saturday, Sept. 24th. as a part of the Concours d'Elegance. 

NO entry fee, no sales fees & a free lunch. Now what could be more fun!   This is a fantastic opportunity to capture those rare and fun autos of other eras, all in one location. Over 300 classic cars represented as well as classic boats, tear drop trailers and historic motorcycles. And if that weren't enough, costumes galore, 4-H animals and the stunning Ironstone Vineyards Gardens. 

Participating artists also have the opportunity to exhibit framed paintings for sale in Ironstone's Gallerias through October 6th.  Email for more information cgomez@ironstonevineyards.com

The Concours Foundation is a non profit organization raising funds for the California 4-H scholarship funds and the California State Faire Scholarship funds. In addition to the entry fee, funds are also raised through the live auction. Through the years, fine donated paintings have lead the bidding and helped the foundation meet their goals.  Should you wish to donate a painting, you may contact infor@concoursfoundation.com 

Registered Artists must be on site from 9:30 - 3:00 pm Saturday and are free to move throughout the facility and show site.  If you are interested in joining us that day, please contact Chris Gomez at cgomez@ironstonevineyards.com or call 209 728 1251 ext #45.

For additional information, here are two sites with great information

http://www.ironstonefoundation.org/  and http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2011/06/29/ironstone-concours-offers-a-chance-to-take-a-ride-in-a-1913-stutz/.

Wine Down the Middle, Fork of the Salmon that is....

Ironstone joins OARS for a great white water rafting trip down the middle fork of the Salmon River in Idaho Aug. 27th.  Considered one of the continent’s primo rafting destinations, this Middle Fork trip takes you through what are touted as legendary rafting waters. I can attest to the beauty of the high country forests, granite canyons & precious grassland having had the pleasure of representing Ironstone on this same voyage several years ago. 

The food is always outstanding on these trips, but the special treat on the wine trip is our very own Chef James will be on the waters with the group, cooking up a storm at every evening camp.  Paired with the foods, Chris Foppiano will be pouring select Ironstone wines to the happy crowd.  Now, challenging the waters isn't the only fun that goes on with these trips... take a look at the photos of "dress up" night.

Now, OARS didn't do that on my trip!  Can't wait to see what Chef James brings back!

Check out OARS link!
http://www.oars.com/idaho/middleforkwhitewaterrafting.html


Then, sign up for the time of your life!